If you’re wondering what to do after a car accident, remember to ensure safety, notify the authorities, and gather documentation for a potential legal claim. The exact steps you should take depend on the severity of the crash, your physical condition, and whether others were injured, but those are generally what you should prioritize.
While the moments following a collision can feel chaotic, taking the right actions can protect both your health and your legal rights. If anyone is hurt, call 911 right away. Then move vehicles to safety if you’re able to do so without risking further harm. From there, exchanging information and reporting the accident to comply with state law and support any future claim.
Once the scene is secure, you can begin thinking about how to hold the appropriate parties accountable with a Connecticut car accident lawyer.
We Help You Navigate What Comes Next
At Claggett, Sykes & Garza, we work with people who are left asking these very questions, often after being blindsided by a careless or distracted driver. We understand how overwhelming the aftermath of a crash can be, especially if you’re dealing with medical appointments, car repairs, or insurance adjusters who want to rush you into a settlement. That’s where we step in.
Our role is to guide you through the legal and financial recovery process after a car accident, including dealing with insurance companies, documenting your injuries, and ensuring you’re not taken advantage of during a vulnerable time. We’ve helped countless clients in Connecticut take the right next steps, starting with a free consultation to review your options.
If you’re not sure whether your accident qualifies for compensation, our Connecticut personal injury lawyers can help. We will determine fault in the car accident, evaluate damages, and explain your rights under state law.
Get the Compensation You Deserve. Our Experienced Lawyers Can Help.
Immediate Steps You Should Take After a Crash
What you do in the minutes and hours after a car accident can make a significant difference in your health, safety, and ability to recover compensation later. While not every situation will unfold the same way, here are the critical first actions you should take:
- Call for help: Dial 911 if anyone is injured or if there’s substantial property damage.
- Move to safety: If possible, move vehicles to the side of the road to prevent further collisions.
- Exchange information: Get the other driver’s name, contact info, license number, and insurance details.
- Document the scene: Take photos of vehicle damage, road conditions, license plates, and injuries.
- Speak carefully: Do not admit fault or speculate about what caused the accident.
Even if you feel fine, it’s smart to seek medical attention within 24 hours. Some injuries — such as whiplash or internal trauma — may not be immediately obvious.
Your Legal Duties Under Connecticut Law
Connecticut requires all drivers involved in a collision to stop and exchange information. In fact, under Connecticut General Statutes § 14-224, leaving the scene of an accident without doing so is a criminal offense, especially if someone is injured. Failing to report a crash or fleeing the scene can result in fines, license suspension, or even jail time.
If the crash causes injury, death, or significant property damage, you are also required to report the accident to law enforcement. If police respond to the scene, they will usually file the report for you. However, if no officer arrives, it may fall on you to report it within a reasonable period.
This legal duty is not only about compliance. It also creates an official record of the incident, which becomes important in future insurance claims or lawsuits. As attorneys, we often rely on this documentation to build a strong case for our clients.
Let Us Fight for Your Rights and Maximize Your Compensation.
When and Why to Contact an Attorney
Not every car accident requires a lawyer. If no one is hurt and the damage is minor, you may be able to resolve things directly with your insurer. But if you’re facing medical bills, lost income, or long-term injuries, having legal representation is the safest way to protect your rights.
We recommend contacting an attorney in cases involving:
- Injuries: You or a loved one were hurt and required medical care.
- Disputes: The other driver blames you or denies fault.
- Insurance issues: The insurer is denying your claim or making a low offer.
- Commercial vehicles: The crash involved a rideshare, delivery truck, or company car.
- Multiple parties: More than two vehicles or drivers were involved.
As a trial-focused personal injury firm, we’re prepared to litigate when needed. But we also understand how to work strategically with insurers to negotiate fair outcomes without unnecessary delays.
Experienced Personal Injury Lawyers Ready to Assist You.
How We Support You Through the Legal Process
Once you’ve taken care of your immediate safety and medical needs, we can take over the legal legwork. Here’s what we help with:
- Case investigation: We gather police reports, witness statements, and surveillance footage.
- Insurance communications: We handle all calls, forms, and negotiations with insurance companies.
- Medical documentation: We ensure your injuries are clearly linked to the accident.
- Legal filing: If a lawsuit becomes necessary, we file and manage the process from start to finish.
Our goal is to remove the burden from your shoulders so you can focus on healing. We also work on a contingency fee basis, which means you don’t pay us unless we recover compensation for you.
Next Steps
Taking the right steps after a car accident protects both your well-being and your financial future. That starts with making sure everyone is safe, reporting the accident, and seeking medical care. But just as important is understanding your legal rights and making informed decisions about how to move forward.
We’re here to make that process easier. If you’ve been injured in a car accident and need help understanding what comes next, contact Claggett, Sykes & Garza. Our team has recovered over $1.5 billion in verdicts and settlements.
We know our way around car accident cases. Our team will listen to your story, explain your options, and help you move forward with confidence.
